how the French are going through “political chaos”

Manès Nadel harangues the crowd. At 16, the high school student’s confidence equals that of the leaders assembled in front of him. This June 17, at the launch of the New Popular Front (NFP), the union of all the lefts, from Poutou to Hollande, the boy, a bourgeois rhetorician of the people, known since the mobilization against pension reform, quotes the words of Lenin to encourage his side to seize the moment: “There are decades when nothing happens, and there are weeks when decades happen!” In France, the latest sales are one of them.

Historic victory of the RN in the European elections, dissolution and express organization of the legislative elections, reconciliation of the irreconcilable lefts, denunciation of the reconciliation of the irreconcilable lefts. Alliance of Eric Ciotti with Jordan Bardella, ostracization of Ciotti by the barons of his camp; domestic scene at Reconquête!. Finally, last but not least, François Hollande candidate in Corrèze. A compilation of exhausting, demoralizing events, proof for many French people of a decomposition of society via its polarization. And this even before one camp or another comes to power on July 7.

This Tuesday, June 25, the Jean Jaurès foundation published a survey on post-dissolution France, “tired France”, entry into “a new political time.” Conflictual, dominated by emotions. According to the survey, 47% of our fellow citizens say they are less serene and “34% say they are even less happy” for fifteen days. Appalled that they are by “the bad image given by France internationally”, “the decision of an irresponsible president” et “the leap into the unknown”

Not happy with the chaos

In June 2023, seeing anxiety rising among the French with each opinion poll, Le Figaro gave voice to those who waited for chaos as one waits for the bus, watching for ruins to roll up their sleeves. Gabriel*, a 31-year-old history teacher in Lyon and Zemmour’s supporter, hoped so for “rebuild the country on healthy foundations”. Alma*, 26 years old, on the right “on identity”left-wing on the economy, considered that he would represent “the opportunity” to find meaning. With dissolution, this chaos, that is to say the “general confusion of the elements of matter” (Larousse) able to reshuffle the cards, seems to have arrived. And like many French people, Gabriel and Alma deplore it. Worried, they describe a fractured country where dialogue between sensitivities has…